How to Obtain a Thai Driving License in Phuket
Why Should I Obtain a Thai Driving License?
1) Driving in Thailand without a valid Thai driving license or an international driving license is illegal. You could get a ticket. Or even more than one!
2) Driving without a valid driving license can invalidate your vehicle insurance. It can also invalidate any medical or travel insurance you may have purchased. Medical bills from an accident would be entirely your responsibility.
3) International driving licenses are only valid for three months from your entry date into Thailand.
4) A Thai driving license is an acceptable form of ID recognized in Thailand. Foreigners in Thailand are required to have a passport or a copy of a passport with them. Most people do not want to carry this valuable document every day. A Thai driving license will have your passport number printed on the bottom and is a convenient form of ID with your passport number!
Please note that the requirements are prone to change. This article should only be used as a guide.
Who Can Apply for a Thai Driving License?
Obtaining a Thai driving license by a foreigner is easy if they have a non-immigrant visa, work permit or a visa for retirement.
Important First Step
Do Not let your valid driving license from your home country expire before you obtain a Thai driving license. You do not have to take the practical driving test if you have a valid license. The practical test is a time consuming, multiple day process and no one wants to take the driving portion of the test again. Do you?
Your driving license should be from an English speaking country, EU-issued or translated into Thai from your embassy.
Types of Driving Licenses
Separate Licenses for Cars & Motorcycles
In Thailand, you need a separate license for cars and motorcycles.
Two copies of all the documents are required when applying for a car and motorcycle license, one for each license.
Documents Required
Passport with non-immigrant visa
You will need photocopies of the photo page, non-immigrant visa page and current entry stamp page. Two copies if applying for both car and motorcycle licenses.
Certificate of Residence
You should have already registered your address with immigration with a copy of your house papers or a lease agreement and a notary from your landlord/lady.
First, go to Phuket immigration and obtain a certificate of residence. You need two resident certificates when applying for a car and motorcycle license. This costs around 100-200 baht. The certificate is valid for 30 days.
You can obtain this document at the main Phuket Immigration office or one of the two satellite offices.
The main office is in Phuket Town. For your convenience, there are two satellite immigration offices, Patong and Blue Tree Cherng Talay.
Health Certificate
Obtaining a Thai driving license you will need a health certificate. This certificate can be easily received from any doctor’s clinic or hospital. There are many little clinics around Phuket. Let them know you need a health certificate for a driving license. They will perform a short examination and give you a health certificate.
When applying for two driving licenses (car and motorcycle) get two certificates. The health certificate should cost around 100 baht each and is valid for one month.
International driving license or national driving license.
A valid driving license is required if you do not want to take the practical driving test. The license should be in English or with a certified Thai translation from your embassy. You should bring the original license and a photocopy.
Where to Go
Obtaining a Thai driving license is a drive to the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office in Phuket Town on Rattanakosin Song Roi Pee Road. This road runs parallel to the canal at Saphin Hin and is very close to the Phuket Immigration office.
When you enter the parking lot, park your car and walk to the back of the lot.
What to Do
Book an appointment
You need to book an appointment in advance. The booking appointment can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months from when you book, depending on availability. There is a booking app, but it doesn’t work well and is in Thai. It is much better to go to the Phuket Land Transport Office and book an appointment in person.
Arrive with Your Documents
On your appointment day bring all your prepared documents between 08:00 and 08:30. Join the queue at the information desk. The clerks will check your documents and give you an application form. This is a simple form requiring your name and the type of license for which you are applying.
Eyesight and Reaction Tests
Then you will go to the end of the room to do the eyesight and reaction tests. Sit down with everyone else and they will call your name when it is your turn. The eyesight and reaction tests are easy if your eyesight is reasonable. Bring glasses if you need them.
Reaction Test
Two pedals on the floor and two lights in front of you. Use your right foot to press down the right pedal and the green light comes on. When the light changes to red quickly switch your right foot to the left pedal by braking. A line of lights on the side measures your reaction time – as long as you are still in the green zone, you have passed.
This can be somewhat confusing the first time you take this test. There are two sets of green and red lights. If you come from a country that drives on the right, instead of the left, you may look at the wrong set of lights. It’s best to take some time and watch the other people first to see how the test works.
Distance Judgment Eye Test
Difficult to describe this one, however, you will get it when you see it. You sit on a chair. About four meters in front of you is a box containing two upright white sticks. You have two pieces of string that allow you to pull one of the sticks toward you or away from you. You pull the stick until you think it is parallel to the other stick.
Color light test
This is a simple test to see if you can identify the colors red, green and yellow (although there aren’t too many yellow lights in Phuket, just red and green). If you are color-blind, it’s a good idea to sit back and watch the other people take the test first.
Video and Test
You now need to watch a video about the Thai highway code. The English version is usually around 10 am. It is played in the video room on the second floor and the video lasts for around one hour. Watch the video carefully because there is a test.
Take your time and think about what is the best answer and you will be just fine.
You have now completed the application process. Go back downstairs and collect your driving license. Your original driving license is given back to you and you will receive a new Thai driving license.
Driving Test
When do you have to take the driving test? If you have let your valid driving license expire there is a practical test. The driving tests take place in the afternoon. There is a driving course at the back of the compound. The test includes driving around the course and completing maneuvers such as a hill start and reverse parking. Testers do not sit in the cars. They watch from the upstairs window of the office. You can try again if you fail. However, you may run out of time and need to try another day.
Collect Your License
Payment
Take your signed documentation to the first floor. There is a number queuing system. The tickets are on the counter. Go to the indicated desk and hand in your documentation. Your first driving license will be for two years and is 205 baht for the car license and 150 Baht for the motorcycle license. When you renew your license after two years you will receive a five year license that costs 505 baht for the car.
Photos
Next, join the queue to take your photo and have your license printed. Do not wear sleeveless shirts and button up your collar.
Renewing the License
After obtaining your Thai driving license you can renew the license after two years. The new license is valid for five years. The renewal process is about the same as listed above, except you will not have to take a written test again and may or may not have to see the video again. This is not consistent.
If you already have a 5-year license you can renew it 3 months before or after it expires. The expiry date is usually set to your birthday. Going just after your birthday makes it close to a 6-year renewal.
You will need your passport with a non-immigrant visa, photocopies of all relevant pages, confirmation of address letter, medical certificate and old driving license.
Additional Information
There is a website in English that may be handy to look at. Welcome to Driving in Thailand. This site has special sections on Thai Traffic Signs, Warning Signs and Regulatory Signs.
Phuket Villa Rentals
Let Baan Wise find you a villa rental for your stay in Phuket
Baan Wise has many villas in Phuket which can be rented for your retirement enjoyment. See HERE link for a list of available villas for rent in Phuket.
Article written by Prakaidao Hodges CEO of Baan Wise Phuket Co., Ltd. For further questions about this article or property management in Phuket please contact us here https://baanwise.com/contact-us/